ALL is set for Ocho Rios Carnival in St Ann on Easter Monday, April 17. The event, which is slated to be a road march, is scheduled to begin at the Total Gas Station on Main Street and culminates at the Ocean Village Plaza.

“The road march begins at 2:00 pm sharp and we will have short stops at Eight Rivers Plaza and Sandcastle Hotel before we end at around 6:00 pm,” promoter Marvin Lawrence told the

Jamaica Observer.

As lead-up to the road march, the promoters held weekly Carnival Friday fetes at the Sandcastles hotel. These events, according to Lawrence, were well supported.

“We are very proud to have Smirnoff as our title sponsor, which speaks volumes about the expectations of the event as usual. Our other sponsors include: Lucozade, ATL Group, Berger Paints, Pepsi, JHTA and Sandcastles resorts,” said Lawrence.

There are five costumed bands participating in the Ocho Rios Carnival. They are Lucozade/ZipFm Arawaks — Purple; Lucozade Tainos — Blue; Lucozade Maroons — Pink; Lucozade Soca Junkies — Yellow; and Smirnoff Guarana Red Ants — Red and Black.

“The experience will be like no other. We started the Road March last year and saw thousands of persons partaking, with hundreds looking on from the sidelines. We anticipate that this year’s staging will be bigger and more spectacular, as our sponsors have gone above and beyond to assist in creating a memorable experience for our patrons whilst indulging and consuming their products. We would also like to thank the Ocho Rios Resort Board, the St Ann Parish Council, the Mayor of St Ann, Superintendent Gary Francis and the hard-working members of the police force who assisted with the planning logistics of the event’, said Lawrence.

First held in 2011, Ocho Rios Carnival was part of the larger All Island Carnival series.

“We decided to scale down the brand … It has been steadily growing and it is now a staple event for residents of St Ann and neighbouring parishes,” said Lawrence.